The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (Hardcover)

~ Published by Ligonier Ministries General Editor-R. C. Sproul (Author), R. C. Sproul (Editor), Keith Mathison (Editor)
Key Phrases: divine omniscience, heavenly reign, honest speech, Old Testament, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a one-volume treasure trove for Christians looking for a truly helpful aid to serious Bible study. -- Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi

A wonderful guide for anyone who desires to understand the great, historical doctrines of the church embedded in God's Word. -- Joni Eareckson Tada

I recommend The Reformation Study Bible for its combination of an accurate translation and high quality study notes. -- Dr. Vern S. Poythress, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

This is not a faddish study Bible. It will be around for a while—perhaps generations. -- Michael S. Horton, Westminster Seminary California

This is not a faddish study Bible.  It will be around for a while, perhaps generations.  -- Michael Horton, Professor of Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary, California

This is the gold standard for study Bibles, and I will be commending it to my congregation. -- Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

Product Description

During the Reformation, a renewed interest in Scripture brought great light to the church and the world. In The Reformation Study Bible, general editor R. C. Sproul aims to present the light of the Reformation anew by combining an accessible translation with study notes that stand firmly in the theological tradition of the Reformation.

No other study Bible gives the reader more assistance in understanding the great doctrines and themes of the Christian faith as found in the Scriptures. Extensive notes have been researched and written by a team of more than fifty scholars, including J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.

All Christians that want to dig deeper in their study of Scripture will appreciate the bible’s many features, including section introductions, book introductions and outlines, comments on the biblical text, theological notes, charts, in-text maps, and cross-references.

The first study bible based on the English Standard Version, The Reformation Study Bible is the perfect choice for men and women that want to study God’s word in a language they can understand.

Features

- Thousands of study notes crucial to an in-depth study of biblical passages, verses, and words
- 96 notes on central doctrinal teachings of Scripture
- Introductions to the seven groups of biblical books, an introduction to the intertestamental period, and book introductions and outlines that detail the background, structure, and meaning of the biblical text
- Written by 48 scholars, including Sinclair Ferguson, Dennis Johnson, Simon Kistemaker, Willem VanGemeren, and Gordon Wenham.
- Edited by R. C. Sproul, assisted by Bruce Waltke (OT editor), Moises Silva (NT editor), James Boice, Edmund Clowney, and others.
- 19 in-text maps help readers follow Bible geography
- 12 charts aid visually oriented readers
- Center-column cross-references
- Concordance to the ESV

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1948 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (February 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875526438
• ISBN-13: 978-0875526430
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #344,258 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

131 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gold Standard, March 5, 2005

By	Tim Challies (Oakville, Ontario) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Reformation Study Bible has long been the standard by which all other study Bibles are measured. Having it available in the English Standard Version, which many consider the best available English translation, simply raises the bar. With R.C. Sproul at the helm and the list of editors reading like a who's-who of Reformed theology, the reader can have confidence that he is in good hands with these notes. Among those who contributed are J. I. Packer, James Boice, Roger Nicole and Wayne Grudem. Philip Ryken spoke well when he said "this is the gold standard for study Bibles."

Perhaps the greatest feature of the study notes is that when they address a controversial subject, the authors provide the differing viewpoints but then point out which is most consistent with Reformed theology. In the past I have been continually dismayed to see how many study Bibles remain noncommital on the tough issues. Adding to the value of this book are the doctrinal notes which appear throughout the Bible. These notes address such difficult topics as justification, election and the nature of the church. All of these topics are addressed from a consistently Reformed worldview.

To summarize, if you are looking for a study Bible, you will not do better than this. It combines the scholarship and literary quality of the English Standard Version with the consistently Reformed perspectives of the study notes to make the best study Bible available today.

72 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A most useful study Bible!, March 21, 2003

By	Robert A. Caldwell (Jackson, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Reformation Study Bible: The Word That Changes Lives - The Faith That Changed the World (NKJV Black, Genuine Leather) (Leather Bound)

The Reformation Study Bible, under the general editorship of well respected theologian and popular author R.C. Sproul, presents the reader with extensive study notes and commentary from leading North American Reformed theologians**. Originally, it was published as the "New Geneva Study Bible," in reference and deference to the Geneva Bible, the 1600s translation favored by the English Puritans.

The majority of study Bibles in print today advocate dispensational theology, so those of the Calvinistic bent, both Presbyterians and Reformed Baptists, will find the Reformation Study Bible to be a welcome and much needed relief.

It is interesting to note that editor R.C.Sproul, in his excellent 1977 book "Knowing Scripture" makes the following comment as part of a well reasoned critique of the Scofield Reference Bible: "Some editions of the Bible contain not only brief marginal notes such as mentioned above, but provide a running commentary. The most famous example of this type of Bible is the Scofield Reference Bible and the New Scofield Reference Bible. I am personally opposed to such editions. My opposition is rooted not so much in the theological posture of the commentary but in the principle of running commentary itself." The learned Dr. Sproul evidently modified his original position over the years, as we find him the editing the study notes of the New Geneva Study Bible in 1995. Those study notes are excellent; well written, well researched, and well reasoned. However, the large amount of study notes and commentary do point up to the one glaring deficiency of this otherwise excellent study Bible: the print of the text of Scripture is far too small! The font size of the text of Scripture is the same small size as that of the study notes, making it very difficult to preach or teach from the Reformation Study Bible.

**Ok, OK........I know that J.I Packer is British, and Roger Nicole is French, but they DO live in North America!

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study Bible; Great Features; Takes a Position, August 25, 2005

By	Jacob Hantla "hantla.com" (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The Reformation Study Bible is a goldmine of information, commentary, random observation, and quick reference. Before I added my two-cents'-worth to the review pile, I wanted to spend a number of weeks using it as a both a study tool and devotional aid. In order to facilitate this, I actually purchased the digital version from Nelson rather than the print version. My Bible study is primarily done within the Libronix Digital Library System, so this was the most useful format for me. Therefore, my comments relate to content and not presentation in the book format.

First off, I am glad that the Reformation Study Bible is offered with the ESV translation of the Bible based on both readability and a good attempt at being a translation that seeks to expose the underlying Greek text. This is my personal favorite translation, and I am happy with the large number of resources being quickly released to help me use this version.

My favorite feature of this study Bible is the short essays throughout called "Theological Notes." In my opinion this Bible is worth its purchase price for these notes alone. Let me give you a flavor of what they cover by listing some titles:
-The Image of God
-Body & Soul, Male & Female
-The Fall
-God's Covenant of Grace
-Infant Baptism
-The Baptism of Jesus
-The Unpardonable Sin
-The Transfiguration of Jesus
-Hell

Next, a very large number of in-text maps are provided which make for excellent resources. Since they are presented in the context of a certain passage of Scripture, they are much more useful than the maps often provided at the end of Bibles or in Bible Atlases. The editors' hard work is obvious in making the maps easy to use to understand the text with which they are presented. Great work here.

Many charts are also included which help get a birds-eye view of the text, especially when large amounts of information are presented throughout a number of chapters or when a logical progression of thought is particularly important or difficult to follow. The ones that are included are very useful, but I do wish that more charts had been created.

I have seen a number of negative reviews based on individual issues with which reviewers disagree with this Bible. I will say that I have come across a number comment with which I mildly disagree or would have wished had been stated differently (discussion of creation). And there are a few topics with which I greatly disagree (infant baptism). Nevertheless, the historical Reformed position is presented, and on controversial issues, the opposing positions are mentioned. This is not a downfall of the Bible, in fact, I think that it is a strength. Positions are offered and defended rather than simply presenting innocuous historical fact or some inoffensive application as many other study Bibles do. Nevertheless, for that reason, if I was looking for a Bible as a gift to a learning believer which I would agree with on a wider-breadth of issues I would choose the MacArthur Study Bible. But as a great study tool and a more in-depth Study Bible than MacArthur's I would go with the Reformation Study Bible.

http://www.hantla.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=71